LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The end of getting rid of the Thai Rak Thai Party justified the means used by the Army
Thaksin, whatever one thinks about him, was a master at gaining popular support by playing on the ignorance of the people, although those in Bangkok were obviously wise to him and his dealings.
It is sad in a way that it had to come to this. However, in the long run I am sure this is the best outcome for everyone concerned, excepting Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai, of course. I think there will be some heavy negotiations over the next few months between Thaksin and the military regarding a return. Much depends, I would imagine, on the outcome of any investigation into his affairs. The Shin sale was the straw that broke the camel's back. It set up a chain of events that, once it gathered momentum, was unstoppable and led to an inevitable result, given Thaksin's intransigence. I suspect the investigation into his affairs will bring down a damning finding against Thaksin, so much so that any immediate return to Thailand would not be possible. I have no doubt, however, that in a very Thai way, some compromise will be found. In any event, he is history. As for the future of Thai Rak Thai, only time will tell. However, if enough damage is caused to the party as a result of any investigation, it, too, will hopefully go the way of the dinosaurs. My Bt10's worth. Ian Charles Perth, Australia ------------------------------------ Military ouster an inexcusable breach of democratic ideals
I write as an outside observer who is troubled by the military coup in your country. Regardless of how unpopular Thaksin was, a military coup was not the right solution. Within democracies, there are avenues through which unpopular leaders can be removed; namely, elections. Thailand was due to have an election in a couple of months, so why was it necessary to stage a military coup now? If Thais wanted Thaksin removed from power, they need only have voted against him in the election, and Thai democracy would have been all the better for it. Military coups are not the solution to Thailand's political woes. If Thailand is ever to consolidate democracy, the country must move away from such action and fully embrace the democratic process. Democratic consolidation takes time, and this coup is a setback for Thai democracy, regardless of the aims of those behind it. Matthew Woolfe Adelaide, Australia ------------------------------------ US condemnation quite simply 'economic blackmail'
Re: "World leaders voice concern", News, September 21. Like many others, I regret it had to come down to a coup to get rid of Thaksin. However, I view it as a necessary measure, a first step to uproot the endemically corrupt and intransigent Thaksin regime. We should leave it at that and leave recriminations to the historians. I welcome the return of peace, order and stability to Thai society. Nevertheless, I urge the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) to act quickly and wisely in the appointment of a civilian administration, the restoration of normality and the expedient return of democratic rights. All of these measures will be key in the restoration of domestic and international confidence. The consequences of any undue delay will be disastrous for Thailand. As for the latest US condemnation of the coup and its veiled threats to suspend aid and free-trade negotiations, this is nothing more than economic blackmail. It only adds unhelpful pressure on everyone at this fragile time. It would have been far wiser to wait and evaluate the actions of the CDRM to see whether they fulfilled their pledge. Furthermore, if sanctions are imposed, it will only force the regime into the open arms of China because that country has not condemned the coup. May I take the opportunity gently to remind the US that it is no longer the only economic superpower? I only wish the US had been as forceful with their sound and fury when Thaksin was systematically undermining our human rights, press freedoms and independent agencies; then perhaps this situation might not have arisen in the first place. But, of course, that would not have been economically profitable. Apisake Monthienvichienchai London ------------------------------------ Did the UK issue deposed PM a 30-day visa upon arrival?
Re: "World leaders voice concern", News, September 21. After reading many letters regarding the undesirability of foreigners living here without a work permit, I'm wondering whether the British government has offered only a tourist visa to our former premier. Will he be required to go to France next month and the month after that before being unceremoniously dispatched to the waiting hands of the generals here? Sucatash Bangkok ------------------------------------ Corruption of former PM unparalleled in Thai history
Re: "'Yellow ribbon coup' was a very high price to pay", Opinion, September 21. The article seems mistakenly to equate elections with democracy. In the past five and a half years under Thaksin, democracy was kidnapped. Later in his rule, Thaksin installed his cronies to run the Election Commission. They are now convicted felons. He subverted all independent agencies and treated Parliament, which he bought, with full contempt. The saga of his autocracy will fill volumes in a library. Since 1932, our political system has never encountered a man of such massive wealth, who bought everything in sight to achieve power. In five and a half years, his net worth grew more than 400 per cent. For now, the military takeover has prevented wider schisms from developing among Thais and stopped the systematic pillage of the national treasury, among other perils caused by Thaksin trough his arrogance, greed and folly. No, in substance, we were never close to a democracy in the past five and a half years. Thaksin himself has nothing but contempt and ridicule for democracy. Veharachan Bangkok ------------------------------------ Questions remain concerning the validity of Sonthi's actions
Three questions have been troubling me since current events started to unfold: 1. Why, if all the coup leaders sought to achieve was Thaksin's removal and a return to democracy, did they not wait for the next election? 2. If, by some miracle, pro-Thaksin supporters in their thousands rallied, marched on government buildings and confronted the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy tanks, would they have been given an "apology for the inconvenience", then rounded up and/or dealt with by brute force? If so, would your correspondents and opinion-poll respondents be quite so happy with events? 3. In all your pious reporting of Thaksin's misdemeanours and the opposition to him, I've yet to read of any reputable alternative leader and party to replace Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai. Surely, in a democracy worthy of the name, if you're unhappy with a party or its leader, you need to have a better alternative to vote for or else accept that what you have is the best of a bad bunch? Oh, a fourth question: is The Nation willing to print just one letter, let alone article, that is not completely anti-Thaksin? John Bangkok ------------------------------------ Say what you will about the coup, it did wonders for traffic
After only one day in power, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin managed to do what Thaksin couldn't in five years: solve Bangkok's traffic problem. Driving around on Wednesday was a pure delight compared with Tuesday. Finbar Bangkok ------------------------------------ Former WTO chief a strong candidate for interim PM
Re: "Sonthi: Civilian govt in 2 weeks", News, September 21. In my view, the two most pressing challenges the new civilian government will have to overcome are gaining international acceptance and restoring investor confidence. Internal challenges like dismantling the Thaksin order, anti-corruption investigations, security concerns and political reforms can be supervised behind the scenes by the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy. The most appropriate candidate for prime minister in my mind therefore is Supachai Panitchpakdi, the former director-general of the World Trade Organisation and now head of the UN trade body in Geneva. He is an international figure and recognised and accepted by all countries as well as by the United Nations. It would help accord the new government immediate legitimacy and international recognition. Supachai has a clean and transparent track record. At the same time, with his finance and trade background, he would be able to maintain international and domestic investor and business confidence in the Thai economy. Having been away from Thailand for the past five or six years, he has not been tarnished by the political infighting that has taken place during Thaksin's term in office and can be expected to exercise calm and unbiased judgement. Nisanart Pumpanwong Bangkok
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